2008 Woodie Awards
Some indie, soul, rock n' roll
Toledo artist blends various genres into music while staying true to rock roots
Nathan Elias
Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: Arts & Life
Most contemporary musicians find the easiest way to make it big is to cater to a target audience and to maintain the same sound, style or message throughout their careers; but not all artists adhere to this silent rule. On the other side of the amplifier there are artists like Chavar Dontae, a Toledo-based musician, who not only displays a variety of musical ammunition but is a revolutionary media man in charge of his own destiny and career.
Following the 2006 release of the critically acclaimed, "One of Those Days," Dontae is finally ready to bring his unique sound to the masses with his first full-length album, "Indie, Soul, Rock n' Roll."
Dontae's career as a professional musician began at Bowling Green State University, where he was awarded a talent scholarship and earned a bachelor's degree in music performance.
While attending Bowling Green State University, the singer/songwriter studied jazz and classical guitar and learned to play multiple instruments, including guitar, piano, bass, drums and trumpet. Dontae also studied music with Ed Levy, lecturer and coordinator of UT's guitar program.
Before making the career-altering decision to become a solo artist, Dontae created the self-titled band, Chavar Dontae, where he first decided to try his hand at vocals.
As the lead guitarist and front man of the band, Dontae began recording his five song EP, or demo record, "One of Those Days," a project he described as classic rock with melodious, soothing lyrical harmonies.
"It's both happy and dark, but in the end you know everything is going to be alright," Dontae said.
With the help of Dylan Ely, a professional engineer whose resume includes production for Linkin Park and R. Kelly, Dontae released his EP and began touring and promoting the project around the country.
"One of Those Days" took two weeks to create with all instruments and vocals done solely by Dontae.
After impressing audiences for the past ten months, Dontae said he is finally ready to release his first full-length album, "Indie, Soul, Rock n' Roll."
"The title says it all," Dontae said. "This album is important to the music industry because of all the styles it encompasses while staying true to a rock record."
The new record, with tracks produced by Ely, includes several new tracks as well as a few re-mastered versions of songs from "One of Those Days."
"['One of Those Days'] was like an adolescent, and this album ['Indie, Soul, Rock n' Roll'] is a grown ass man," he said. "It has a whole new vibe. It's more chill - polished but not over produced."
Dontae's latest album, which he hopes to release this winter, has marvelously done what most albums attempt to do - combine the elements of well-played music with elements of popular music. Catchy lyrics, ranging vocals, shifty guitar solos and pulsing bass lines are only what lies on the surface of the record, Dontae said.
"This [album] is going to change the game," Dontae said. "The crazy thing about it is that it crosses over different genres. I could play at rock shows or hip- hop shows, and the music will still come across. It scares me how good it is."
As the release date for the album draws closer, Dontae's schedule has increasingly picked up. Dontae said his past few weeks have been spent recording the album, flying back and forth to studios cross country, assisting with live mixes on the "Projekt Revolution Tour" and playing shows.
Dontae's artistic entrepreneurship does not end with his own projects. Throughout his career, he has made it a point to collaborate with artists from various musical backgrounds.
From helping artists on the rise with instrumentation, to jumping on tracks with other musicians, Dontae has no boundaries when it comes to music. Recently, he has been experimenting with hip-hop and has been featured on several mix tapes and albums. Dontae can be heard on the chorus of "On Everything I Love," a rap single by Ohio MC Jesty Beatz, featuring Bizzy Bone from Bone Thugs n' Harmony.
Never limiting himself to one field, Dontae's talents extend well beyond the music industry. Outside the audio spectrum, Dontae specializes in fashion, photography and much more. He has Chavar Dontae Apparel, his personal clothing company where he designs custom-fitted apparel and specialty graphics.
"Every piece of clothing is different, and I make most of it by hand," Dontae said.
He is also a professional photographer and has shot promotional pictures for models and musicians and is the executive producer and co-star of the Feature length documentary, Cinema Musica, a film showcasing musicians from Ohio.
"I've never been the type of cat to wait for opportunities," Dontae said, "I go out and make opportunities happen."
If you would like to be featured in our Local Artist Spotlight, send an e-mail, including a short bio to arts@independentcollegian.com.
Following the 2006 release of the critically acclaimed, "One of Those Days," Dontae is finally ready to bring his unique sound to the masses with his first full-length album, "Indie, Soul, Rock n' Roll."
Dontae's career as a professional musician began at Bowling Green State University, where he was awarded a talent scholarship and earned a bachelor's degree in music performance.
While attending Bowling Green State University, the singer/songwriter studied jazz and classical guitar and learned to play multiple instruments, including guitar, piano, bass, drums and trumpet. Dontae also studied music with Ed Levy, lecturer and coordinator of UT's guitar program.
Before making the career-altering decision to become a solo artist, Dontae created the self-titled band, Chavar Dontae, where he first decided to try his hand at vocals.
As the lead guitarist and front man of the band, Dontae began recording his five song EP, or demo record, "One of Those Days," a project he described as classic rock with melodious, soothing lyrical harmonies.
"It's both happy and dark, but in the end you know everything is going to be alright," Dontae said.
With the help of Dylan Ely, a professional engineer whose resume includes production for Linkin Park and R. Kelly, Dontae released his EP and began touring and promoting the project around the country.
"One of Those Days" took two weeks to create with all instruments and vocals done solely by Dontae.
After impressing audiences for the past ten months, Dontae said he is finally ready to release his first full-length album, "Indie, Soul, Rock n' Roll."
"The title says it all," Dontae said. "This album is important to the music industry because of all the styles it encompasses while staying true to a rock record."
The new record, with tracks produced by Ely, includes several new tracks as well as a few re-mastered versions of songs from "One of Those Days."
"['One of Those Days'] was like an adolescent, and this album ['Indie, Soul, Rock n' Roll'] is a grown ass man," he said. "It has a whole new vibe. It's more chill - polished but not over produced."
Dontae's latest album, which he hopes to release this winter, has marvelously done what most albums attempt to do - combine the elements of well-played music with elements of popular music. Catchy lyrics, ranging vocals, shifty guitar solos and pulsing bass lines are only what lies on the surface of the record, Dontae said.
"This [album] is going to change the game," Dontae said. "The crazy thing about it is that it crosses over different genres. I could play at rock shows or hip- hop shows, and the music will still come across. It scares me how good it is."
As the release date for the album draws closer, Dontae's schedule has increasingly picked up. Dontae said his past few weeks have been spent recording the album, flying back and forth to studios cross country, assisting with live mixes on the "Projekt Revolution Tour" and playing shows.
Dontae's artistic entrepreneurship does not end with his own projects. Throughout his career, he has made it a point to collaborate with artists from various musical backgrounds.
From helping artists on the rise with instrumentation, to jumping on tracks with other musicians, Dontae has no boundaries when it comes to music. Recently, he has been experimenting with hip-hop and has been featured on several mix tapes and albums. Dontae can be heard on the chorus of "On Everything I Love," a rap single by Ohio MC Jesty Beatz, featuring Bizzy Bone from Bone Thugs n' Harmony.
Never limiting himself to one field, Dontae's talents extend well beyond the music industry. Outside the audio spectrum, Dontae specializes in fashion, photography and much more. He has Chavar Dontae Apparel, his personal clothing company where he designs custom-fitted apparel and specialty graphics.
"Every piece of clothing is different, and I make most of it by hand," Dontae said.
He is also a professional photographer and has shot promotional pictures for models and musicians and is the executive producer and co-star of the Feature length documentary, Cinema Musica, a film showcasing musicians from Ohio.
"I've never been the type of cat to wait for opportunities," Dontae said, "I go out and make opportunities happen."
If you would like to be featured in our Local Artist Spotlight, send an e-mail, including a short bio to arts@independentcollegian.com.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Rachelle
posted 9/04/08 @ 12:58 PM EST
Great Article! He didn't study w/ Ed Levy He Studied with Chris Buzzelli.
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